My DIL has pneumonia

**JustJoy** · 12-17-2006, 08:31 AM

This is the first time my son has been home for the holidays in 3 years. He's in the Navy and somehow managed to get 14 days leave. She started feeling sick a few hours into their trip here from VA. Fever, coughing, chest pain and having trouble breathing. She and my son finally made it to DIL's mom's house early Friday morning. By then she was really sick. It took my son 3 hours to talk her into going to the ER (as they don't have a Dr here at home anymore). Thankfully it was caught early enough so she doesn't have to be hospitalized, but she is on bed rest and taking antibiotics and using an inhaler.

I haven't seen either of them yet as DIL's mom lives an hour away. We're hoping she's feeling well enough in the next couple of days so they can come out for a short visit. I feel so bad for her. I know she and my son had so many plans for this coming week

and she's such a tiny little thing.... only 4'11" and about 90 lbs. I just want to put her on my lap and hug her....LOL!

**emily_hope** · 12-17-2006, 08:47 AM

I am so sorry to hear that, Joy. I do hope she recovers quickly. I know they are disappointed. I am sure they had many things planned. Hope all works out well.

**fernykins** · 12-17-2006, 09:15 AM

Joy I hope your DIL starts to feel better......... I hope you get to spend time with your son and dil...... Its no fun being sick
Fern

**FrugalMomof3** · 12-17-2006, 09:48 AM

I hope your DIL feels better soon and when you see her make sure you give her that big hug

**autumnlynn** · 12-17-2006, 10:06 AM

I'm really sorry that your DIL is ill. I'll send prayers and good thoughts her way for a speedy recovery.

**MOMMYDEAREST** · 12-17-2006, 10:21 AM

poor girl. wow she is a little thing. i will keep her in my prayers!!!

**banana** · 12-17-2006, 10:50 AM

I hope she starts to feel better soon so they can come visit you and spend some time for the holidays.

**JustJoy** · 12-17-2006, 12:08 PM

Does anyone know if pneumonia is contagious? DH is a total germ-o-phob and worried about catching it.

**PrairieRose** · 12-17-2006, 12:55 PM

I've been the caregiver for serveral family members who've had pneumonia before and never got it myself. I don't think it's as contagious as it's a complication from another infection. (I'm not a nurse though)

I'm sorry that she's going through this and you're family is deprived of their company. I hope she's feeling better soon.

(One thing I was taught to do that might help expedite her recovery is to 'pattern' her. It's basically just getting her to turn on her side or tummy and using a cupped hand over the lung areas pat her on the back firmly for a few minutes or until you're exhausted which usually comes first. This breaks up the liquids in the lungs faster and will make her cough like crazy but it really helps...will help her sleep too b/c she'll cough up a lot and then relax and sleep... . It's good to do 3-4 times per day for several days)

**JustJoy** · 12-18-2006, 08:44 AM

Thanks so much for the tips Lisa. I will definitely tell her. I spoke to her yesterday afternoon and she sounds like she is on the road to recovery

She said she is feeling much better than she did Friday morning.

**favesis37** · 12-19-2006, 07:34 AM

i agree, keeping them moving around stops that stuff from settling in her lungs,also as gross as it seems a productive cough needs to be expelled. in other words( she needs to spit out that nasty stuff)